Abuja: The National Association of Charcoal Producers, Dealers, Exporters and Afforestation of Nigeria (NACPDEAN) has called for urgent and coordinated engagement following the recent ban on charcoal export. The newly elected President of the association, Mr Edu Babatunde, made the call in his acceptance speech after the election of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Babatunde, who described his victory as a collective achievement, said it comes with renewed responsibility and a clear call to action. ‘Our industry is at a critical turning point. Recent developments, particularly the ban on charcoal export, require urgent and strategic engagement,’ he said. He urged producers, dealers, exporters and other stakeholders to unite and engage government authorities with a common voice.
Babatunde emphasized that the goal is not only to address immediate challenges arising from the ban, but also to establish a sustainable framework that balances economic survival with environmental responsibility. He noted that weak enforcement and unregulated activities would no longer be tolerated, and announced plans to introduce firm monitoring systems, enforce standards, and ensure accountability across the industry.
The NACPDEAN president highlighted the importance of enforcement and collaboration, stating that plans are underway to deepen engagement with state governments to ensure inclusive participation and effective regulation. He added that the association would promote afforestation initiatives, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and create an enabling environment for sustainable charcoal production and export activities.
Babatunde, who was re-elected for a second term, said priority would be given to establishing and activating state chapters in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Kogi, and Bauchi states. He also pledged to enforce compliance with the 2022 Federal Executive Council (FEC) resolution prohibiting foreign operators from purchasing charcoal directly at the farm gate, stating, ‘This policy is designed to protect local businesses, and we will ensure full compliance.’
On deforestation, Babatunde stressed that the association would prioritize sustainability through structured initiatives. ‘All stakeholders; producers, dealers, and exporters must embrace tree planting as a core responsibility. Afforestation will remain central to our strategy,’ he said. He added that the association was introducing structured economic forestry programs across regions to ensure tree planting was both sustainable and economically beneficial to communities, states, and the Federal Government.
Also speaking, Mr Basiru Lukman, Schedule Officer in charge of the Charcoal Value Chain at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, said the ban was necessitated by the country’s growing forest deficit. He emphasized the measure was aimed at protecting natural resources and promoting sustainability, urging stakeholders to take deliberate steps toward aggressive afforestation.
In his remarks, Dr Bello Dogondaji, General Secretary of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN), described the election as free, fair, and credible. He said the process reflected inclusiveness, with representation from all six geopolitical zones, advising the new executives to uphold unity, integrity, and continuity in their responsibilities.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the newly elected NEC includes Mr Abdulsalami Rijana as National Deputy President, Mr Kayode Animashaun as National Zonal Vice President (South-West), and Mr Ojei Uche as National Secretary-General.